Dart game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A dart game apparatus for alternate participation by a plurality of players by skillfully dropping projectiles toward a target, having defined thereon a plurality of discrete, identified regions, through a vertical tubular structure to acquire a score.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The conventional dart game employs a dartboard and a plurality of projectiles. Players alternate participation by propelling projectiles through the air towards a target to acquire points.

[0002] There is a need for a dart game that incorporates a tabletop game play without limitations regarding a need for a large area to play within.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates in general to a game apparatus for use by one or more players who alternate in active participation by skillfully dropping projectiles through an opening of a vertical tubular structure toward a target at the opposite end of the vertical tubular structure. By removing the target cap, a player calculates their score by counting the value of the areas in which their projectiles are positioned. Once a score is calculated, the player removes its projectiles from target and then repositions the target cap into the vertical tubular structure to continue game play. Several different games and alternate types and or artwork for targets may be played utilizing this form of game play.

[0004] The invention may be used as a travel game, a floor game, a desktop or tabletop game as well as a handheld game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a dart game apparatus assembled.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of a vertical tubular structure.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of a removable cap.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of one form of a projectile.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of one form of target.

[0011]FIG. 6 through FIG. 11 are perspective drawings demonstrating the use of the dart game apparatus during game play.

[0012]FIG. 12 is a drawing of a section through FIG. 2.

[0013]FIG. 13 is a drawing of a target adhered to a removable cap.

[0014]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternate target design.

[0015]FIG. 15 is a perspective drawing of an alternative structure comprised of a skeleton type structure.

[0016]FIG. 16 is a perspective drawing of an alternative structure comprised of a skeleton type structure having telescoping capabilities to extend height of game play.

[0017]FIG. 17 is a perspective drawing of an alternate removable cap having target artwork printed or silkscreen directly onto the cap's surface.

[0018]FIG. 18 is perspective drawings in series of an alternate embodiment having permanent target end caps secured to a vertical tubular structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown a dart game apparatus of this invention which includes the use of a clear plastic extruded or cast tube 200. The tube 200 could be of many shapes namely round, square, rectangle, diamond, triangle, oval or any other shape that may utilize this form of game play. The tube 200 may be made of other material such as injected molded plastic, extruded aluminum or any similar material and process that utilizes this form of game play. The tube 200 may be of any length or diameter consisting of an inner wall 203, an outer wall 204 and open ends 201 and 202. The tube's ends 201 and 202 may be modified to receive the removable target caps 300 a such as having a portion of threaded inner wall 203 or portion threaded of outer wall 204 to accommodate and securing target cap 300 a.

[0020] The removable target cap's 300 a interior plug 303 is screwed or press fitted into the tube's 200 open ends 201 and 202 or inserted into or on by any other similar non-permanent means. To remove the target cap 300 a, it is preferable to grasp the rim or flange 302 and turn, twist or pull depending on the type of interference between the plug 303 and the inner wall 203 or outer wall 204. When the game is played on a tabletop environment, the bottom surface 301 of the target cap 300 a lies flush to tabletop's surface and the apparatus stands erect. The removable caps 300 are formed of any rigid material such as wood, plastic, metal, aluminum or of any soft material such as rubber, cork or any other similar hard or soft material. Both removable caps 300 have targets 500 mounted to them by the means of adhesive or the like, in which case the cap 300 and target 500 act unitarily. During game play, only one removable target cap 300 a is inserted and secured into the bottom opening 202 of the tube 200 leaving the top end 201 open as shown in FIG. 6 through FIG. 11.

[0021] The target 500, made of cork, paper, rough hook surface or any similar target material, may be permanently adhered to the surface 304 of the removable caps 300. The target 500 is in the form of a circle having a plurality of discrete, identified regions 502 which are silkscreen, printed or any other similar means of applying artwork on the top surface 501. The target 500 could be of many shapes, namely round, square, rectangle, diamond, triangle, oval or any other shape that may utilize this form of game play. Normally, the target 500 shape will follow the contour of the inner wall 203 of the tube 200. In an alternate embodiment the target 500 may also rest atop of the surface 304 without being permanently attached to the removable cap 300 which will allow many different designs of targets 501 a to be interchanged for alternative game play.

[0022] The projectiles 400 have a main body 401 and a sharp needle like tip 402 that will penetrate the targets 500 top surface 501 and maintain its position on impact. The projectiles 400 are made up of metal or a heavy material or weighted plastic. In an alternate embodiment the projectiles may be balls with a fuzz surface that will be used with a target having a rough hook surface. In conventional dart games, there are many forms of projectiles and targets, any of which may be used in this form of game play.

[0023] Referring particularly to FIG. 6 through FIG. 11, the drawings demonstrate the use of the invention during game play. In FIG. 6, the player holds and skillfully aims its projectile 400 over the opening 201 of the tube 200. At player's discretion, will release the projectile 400 staying within the inner walls 203 of the tube 200 towards the target 500.

[0024] In FIG. 7, the projectile 400 has been released and is free falling towards the target 500.

[0025] In FIG. 8, the projectile 400 penetrated the target's 500 top surface 501 maintaining its position after impact.

[0026] In FIG. 9, a second projectile 400 a is held over the opening 201 of the tube 200 and released as shown in FIG. 10.

[0027]FIG. 11 shows both projectiles 400 and 400 a maintaining their position after impact of the target 500. This process continues to repeat itself for all projectiles 400. Players may choose to remove their projectiles 400 after their turn. This will be determined from what game is played.

[0028]FIG. 17 shows the target 502 silkscreen or printed or any other similar means of applying artwork onto the top surface 304 of the removable cap 300 b. The cap 300 b would be made of a penetrable material such as cork or any other similar pervious material.

[0029]FIG. 18 shows an alternate embodiment having permanent target end caps 300 c secured to a vertical tubular structure 200. The target end caps 300 c have a means of releasing projectiles externally. This may be achieved by a steel plug 302 being separated from target housing 301 c and allowing the magnetic projectiles 400 a free fall towards the bottom target 500 b. Once a score has been calculated, the embodiment is rotated 180 degrees and the process is repeated. In this embodiment, both target end caps 300 c and target design would be identical. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for game play comprising: a) a vertical tubular structure, b) a target having defined thereon a plurality of discrete, identified regions, c) projectiles that will maintain their position on impact of target, d) Removable cap wherein said target lies atop or adheres to.
 2. An apparatus for game play in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vertical tubular structure telescopes to extend height of game play. 3.An apparatus for game play in accordance with claim 1 wherein said target and removable cap is a unitary body.
 4. An apparatus for game play in accordance with claim 1 wherein said target is a three-dimensional target.
 5. An apparatus for game play in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vertical structure is a skeleton type structure constructed of a wire frame.
 6. An apparatus for game play in accordance with claim 3 wherein said vertical wire frame structure telescopes to extend height of game play.
 7. An apparatus for game play in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vertical tubular structure is permanently enclosed having permanent target end caps secured to vertical tubular structure, a) a means to disengage projectiles.
 8. An apparatus for game play in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vertical tubular structure has modular sections to increase height of game play.
 9. An apparatus for game play in accordance with claim 1 wherein said target is a moving target. 